More carriers require more aircraft orders, giving the aircraft industry a larger naval market. In Britain, that investment could strengthen the case for returning the Fleet Air Arm to naval control earlier. Extra treaty tonnage would also ease the choice between a large air group and armored protection. British carriers could then combine greater striking power with better protection, increasing the threat to Italy in operations such as Taranto. American and Japanese carriers could still have larger air groups because their 33,000-ton conversions would retain a size advantage.
Chapter · 2:27:02-2:29:11
More carriers reshape doctrine and aircraft production
Larger aircraft orders could strengthen the Fleet Air Arm, while more carrier tonnage would ease Britain's tradeoff between protection and air-group size.